From Tom Garba, Yola
An infant formula milk in its best before date is currently being given to internally displaced persons (IDPs), prison formations and interested indigent residents in Yola, Adamawa by the state government.
The milk, “Frisomum Gold Mild Milk” is being given out free to the IDPs distributed to IDPs in Fufore, the Prisons, willing individuals and various groups in the state capital, who were seen rushing to the state Ministry of Women Affairs as well as the state secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Wednesday and Thursday collecting the expired milk products
Investigation revealed that the milk was diverted from the IDP camps and was only quickly brought out when the best before date – 01 2016, was discovered by the hoarders.
A visit to the APC Secretariat revealed that cartons of the expired products were freely distributed to the people, who were oblivious to its expired status.
When the situation was brought to his notice, a beneficial, Mallam Umaru Isa, couldn’t care less. He told The Dream Daily: “Oga, your so call expired FRISOMUM GOLD milk no bi Nigeria concerns, the milk no go affect for my belle”.
Also Bilkisu Sani Abass, a pregnant woman stated that she believed in the APC-led Government and could not see how they would send expired milk to them, “especially some of us who are expected mothers.
The Dream Daily discovered that the milk product was launched for distribution since August, 2015 by the wife of the state governor, Maryam Muhammadu Umaru Jibrila Bindow at the Specialist Hospital, Yola.
But some residents of Yola were concerned over the distribution of the expired milk.distribution attracts attention of some concern citizens of the state. A pharmacist in the state capital, Ezekiel Lawson, said: “Our Government is wicked to have hoard the product to this extend without sharing it. This attitude is evil and is a crime for which the government could be sued.”
However, at the State Ministry of Women Affairs where the expired product was largely distributed, efforts to locate the Commissioner, Aliyu Bello Tolla, proved abortive as he was said to be attending a crucial meeting that might not be unconnected with the expired milk.
But sources close to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry told The Dream Daily that the milk was allegedly brought to the state by the Red Cross last year, with the instruction not to distribute it until so ordered by the organisation. This, according to the sources, explained why the milk was not distributed until now.
The sources added that before the milk was eventually approved for distribution, health officials assured the state that it can be consumed from now till the end of February, as a best before that has a three-month guarantee before the product becomes harmful.
When contacted, Commissioner of Health in Adamawa, Dr. Fatima Atiku Abubakar, said she was unaware that the expired milk was being given to IDPs and others, assuring, that her ministry would step into the matter with a view to ascertaining the situation to avoid any health-related challenges in the state.
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